Salivary gland neoplasms: a descriptive analysis of the pattern seen in Enugu.

The objective of this study is to describe the pattern of salivary gland neoplasms as experienced in Enugu-Nigeria. Patients are selected from those attending the Otorhinolaryngology units of the author at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and Balsam Clinics both in Enugu from January 1992 to December 1997, with tumours of salivary gland origin. Non-neoplastic lesions were excluded. There were forty-one (41) patients with salivary gland neoplastic growths in the following sites: parotids (25) submandibular gland (SMG) (10) and minor (6). There were 15 males, 26 females; age range 10-74 year, with mean of 41 years. Seven of the parotid tumours were recurrent/residual. Salivary gland neoplasms are important surgical disease in this region with clinical manifestations similar to what obtains in other parts of the world. Surgical excision of salivary neoplasms is beneficial, but misadventure is still rampant.